On Feb. 14, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to fire and freeze the jobs of thousands of National Park workers nationwide. These orders were overseen by billionaire tech executive Elon Musk and the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), which allowed for jobs to be cut.
“It is unfortunate that President Trump has decided to fire thousands of national park employees. From a human perspective, these individuals have families, and letting them go without notice is troubling,” environmental club vice president Ella Qiu said.
National park employees are distraught after these cuts, as their jobs – and, most importantly, their lives – have been taken away from them just weeks after President Trump took office.
Following the executive order, more than 2,300 federal workers were fired from their jobs without notice. This represents nearly 4% of the workers at the Department of the Interior. These cuts could lead to understaffed and poorly maintained national parks as spring and summer arrive.
“From an environmental perspective, these people protect our nation’s natural wonders. Losing them not only threatens the protection of these sites and our nation’s wildlife but also jeopardizes the knowledge and expertise necessary for their preservation,” Qiu said.
Visitors – the other cornerstone of what keeps the national parks system – are beyond confused and disheartened, in light of what these decisions hold for the future of America.
“I visited the Grand Canyon when I was 12, and its beauty was truly breathtaking. The park was well-maintained, and I had a great experience with a park ranger who guided us to the best trail,” senior Alex Newcomb said. “He was also incredibly knowledgeable about the park’s history, making the visit even more memorable.”
Although the Trump administration believes the decision will save the government money, Tim Whitehouse, executive director of the nonprofit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, claims the firings “are not going to save the government any money” and will “degrade our parks.” The impacts of these firings are negative, creating problems for the visitors, park rangers, and wildlife – all of which depend on the parks.
The administration’s decision to fire and freeze employees’ work statuses will also impact future generations, restricting their ability to see the beauty of the wildlife and learn about nature.
“I am extremely disheartened by the Trump administration’s decision. Some of my fondest memories are from visiting national parks like Yellowstone, Carlsbad Caverns, Sequoia National Forest, and others. I was completely mesmerized by the beauty of our country,” senior Maia Barber said.
If the national parks go understaffed, it’s uncertain if there will be a future of visiting and exploring these beautiful places.
“National parks were designed to protect uniquely diverse lands and the ecosystems within them. That goal has only been possible with the tireless commitment of national park service workers from all over America,” Barber said. “I’ll never forget how each national park I visited was like stepping into a completely different world: one ruled by nature. It is essential that national parks across America have the necessary staff in order to keep the beauty alive for generations to come.”
If America continues to cut jobs of those who serve as stewards of some of the most important parks on Earth, the current generation isn’t the only one impacted– these beautiful natural lands will cease to exist for the generations that follow.
